Franchising

Flynn acquires 1K-plus US Pizza Hut, Wendy's locations

Photo: iStock.

March 24, 2021

Flynn Restaurant Group, the nation's largest franchise operator, doubled its size today with the completed acquisition of 937 Pizza Hut and 194 Wendy's stores in the U.S. from Kansas City-based NPC International.

The additions adds to Flynn's holdings in brands like Applebee's, Panera Bread, Taco Bell and Arby's, creating more diversification in its portfolio, according to a press release. The transaction was supported by long-term partners Main Post Partners and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board.

Flynn now owns and operates 2,355 restaurant locations, generating $3.5 billion in sales and employing 73,000 people in 44 states. Flynn's subsidiaries include the largest Applebee's franchisee, the largest Arby's franchisee, the second largest Panera Bread franchisee, and the third largest Taco Bell franchisee. These have now been joined by the largest Pizza Hut franchisee and the fifth largest Wendy's franchisee.

"We are excited to announce the addition of Pizza Hut and Wendy's to our portfolio," Flynn Restaurant Group Founder, Chair and CEO Greg Flynn, said in the release. "They bring with them a wonderful team of dedicated operators and support personnel, who we welcome whole-heartedly into the Flynn family. Further, both Pizza Hut and Wendy's are deeply established as leading concepts in their sectors, and our entry into their systems furthers our goal to operate at scale in top-tier brands."